HC Deb 20 February 1964 vol 689 cc1381-2
19. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Minister of Education what progress has been made in the improved methods of teaching English and in the discussions with the United States on the co-ordination of the development of the language.

Sir E. Boyle

The British Council, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Technical Cooperation, is installing about 30 language laboratories and is preparing special material for them. The Council is also helping research projects being undertaken at the Universities of Birmingham and Sheffield and by the National Foundation for Educational Research, and is collaborating with the British Broadcasting Corporation in the production of films for beginners and for teacher training. New courses in the teaching of English as a foreign language have been established at the University College of Bangor and at Manchester University. There is continuing liaison between the British Council and the Center of Applied Linguistics in Washington.

Mr. Woodburn

I appreciate the steps which have been taken already, but will the Minister look further into the possibility of simplifying English even a little, both for the sake of our own children and for the sake of people abroad trying to learn English? I have received quite a number of letters from people in Germany and other countries who are trying to simplify English in teaching their pupils. Surely if people abroad and in the Colonies want to make English a universal language, this country should do something to help them and make it easier for them to learn it.

Sir E. Boyle

The right hon. Member will realise that much work is being done in the co-ordination of the development of out language. I should not like to give my views on the simplification of English, which is a difficult subject, least of all at Question Time.

Mr. Bourne-Arton

Would my right hon. Friend agree that it would be a great help to the development of English if people could learn to read it with greater ease and pleasure? If so, can he say when he will be ready to give his views on the initial teaching methods of my hon. Friend the Member for Bath (Sir J. Pitman)?

Sir E. Boyle

That is another question. I hope, however, soon to have something to say to the House on this subject.

Mr. Woodburn

Is it not a tragic reflection on our language that probably not one Member of Parliament could win a spelling bee in his own language? [HON. MEMBERS: "Shame."]